It’s officially SUMMER! In celebration of this wonderful season, I thought I’d add to this series and gather some of my favourite yellow books into another colourful post!
The colour yellow was made for contempaory romance novels and are perfect editions to brighten up any bookshelf! It’s dangerous writing these posts, as I tend to fall in love with all these covers and end up convincing myself that I need them on my bookshelf! The dream one day is to have a wall of rainbow bookshelves but at this moment in time i’ll have to settle for a very colourful Amazon/Waterstones basket!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this ascetically pleasing collection of beautiful book covers and that this post brightens up your day! Enjoy!
Sunshine Yellow
I just love how bright and cheery these covers are, they instantly make me smile! One of my favourites has to be the Summer Days and Summer Nights cover with all the character cameos, it’s adorable and the perfect lighthearted read for this season.
Golden Yellow
This post is dominated by romance novels so I thought I’d throw in a few fantasy favourites! I’ve heard nothing but good things about The Bear and the Nightingale trilogy, so I might have to treat myself on payday!
Bright Yellow
These books make a bold statement and command attention!
Soft Lemon Yellow
Don’t be fooled by some of these adorable and innocent looking covers, One by Sarah Crossan and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini will break your heart. These two powerful and honest reads stayed with me long after finishing them and both left me with a broken heart, so be sure to have the tissue at the ready!
Rhubarb and Custard
These books are just as sweet as these confectionary treats! This year I plan to fill my summer with lots of adorable romance novels and these five are 100% on my list!
Electric Banana Yellow
I’d like to think that I look as glamorous as Meddy on the cover for Dial A for Aunties but I’m more like the It’s All Absolutely Fine cover! These books are bold, they are beautiful, and will definitely make your day a little brighter!
Ikea Yellow
When I think of blue and yellow my mind instantly thinks of Ikea? I think it’s because I’m dreaming of getting another Billy bookshelf and that I’m desperate to go on a little spending spree there. There’s just something about blue and yellow that just goes together like tea and biscuits, they compliment each other beautifully and are some of my favourites on this list!
Bumblebee Yellow
Be warned these books sting! These intense and soul shaking reads surprised me, I went into these books completely blind they were’t at all what I was expecting, in a good way!
Friendship Yellow
A yellow rose represents friendship, and these covers also prove that two is better than one. I need It is Wood, It is Stone by Gabriella Burnham on my bookshelf ASAP, that cover is beautiful and after reading through all the reviews it’s definitely a book I know I’m going to love!
Usually the streets and pubs would be filled with parades, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green as we celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. But sadly this year we’re unable to go-out and celebrate, so I thought I’d celebrate in classic bookish style by sharing a couple of my favourite books with covers in all shades of green! This list started off as a handful of books, but slowly grew into an entire post dedicated to the colour green and the role it plays on some of my favourite book covers.
The ‘I Look Good in Green’ Cover
When I think of green dresses my mind instantly goes to Kiera Knightly’s iconic dress from Atonement, that dress is incredible and I once spent an entire hour discussing it with one of my university lecturers! These stunning green outfits are a popular and reoccurring theme with book covers and all present themes of beauty, power and of course mystery! My cover favourites include the dress from from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, or Yeva’s cloak from Hunted and finally that masterpiece that dominates the cover of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin!
The Spring Green
This green is the embodiment of a beautiful spring morning, it’s fresh, hopeful and embraces the beauty of our environment. I can’t help but feel refreshed and excited for those warm, blue-skied days that these next couple of moths will bring when I look at these covers! I particularly love the new Graceling covers, they’re stunning and were in desperate need of update! This series is definitely on my 2021 re-read TBR because I can’t remember anything about these books, only that teenage Amy really enjoyed them!
The ‘In Your Face’ Green
These books are unapologetically green and standout beautifully on our bookshelves! When I gaze lovingly at my bookshelves these books always catch my eye! Green seems to be a trend-setting colour this year so hopefully we’ll see more green on our bookshelves soon. The neon green of The Perks of Being a Wallflower cover is iconic and holds so much meaning and symbolism that I never noticed until now. The small image of dress shoes in the top right had corner is easily missed in comparison to the striking green of the colour and plays on the books theme of anonymity.
The Hero Green
Fantasy books love a good-old green, don’t they? Green is a colour associated with ambition, growth, adventure and of course envy, which is true because I envy all these characters and the fictional worlds they live in! I think my favourite cover from this bunch has to be either Reaper at the Gates or Sorcery of Thorns, as not only are these covers beautiful but they both manage to capture the fantastical mystery and adventure that lies beyond their pages.
The Mysterious Green
This is the eerie, cold mysterious green that just screams trouble! The dark and dusty hues guarantees a storyline filled with deception, mystery and the unknown but these gloomy colours don’t take away from how glorious these covers are! I’ve yet to read The Kiss of Deception but just from the cover I know that this is going to be a typical YA fantasy filled with assassins, love triangles and an enchanting plot that I’m going to fall in love with.
The Elegant Green
Emerald green is probably one of my favourite shades of green! There’s just something so regal and elegant about it and then when you pair it with gold it instantly becomes a crowd pleaser! As soon as I saw the covers for The Gilded Wolves and The Gilded Ones, I knew I had to have them on my bookshelf because they are stunning!
February is a month dedicated to love and romance, so it’s no surprise that I fell in love with so many amazing posts, books and new blogs this month! Everyone’s got their creative juices flowing because the quality of posts again this month has been fabulous and I’ve enjoyed reading every single one of them. This is my longest list of favourites ever but I couldn’t resist including all these wonderful posts and celebrating some content that made me smile.
I mentioned in my wrap up post that I was struggling with my mental health last month, but the blogging community has always been such a comforting and lovely place to escape too. Sometimes what you need to do, is make yourself a big-old cup of tea and switch off by reading lots of different bookish posts and surround yourself with a community that is full of so much love and support. So go and get yourself all cosy and enjoy some of the posts I loved last month!
This month love was in the air and lots of bloggers shared some of their favourite romance reads and books that made their hearts flutter:
I loved Priyasha’s @Books and Co. list of 12 romance novels that are better than a candlelit dinner, because there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book!
It’s been a month and I’m still obsessed with Bridgerton. @Two Night Stands shared a great list of romance reads that are perfect for fans of Bridgerton and I could help but add a couple of these to my TBR!
I love book quotes, and this year I want to start writing some of my favourites down and keeping a note of all of them so I can look back on them when I’m having a bad day. Becky @Becky’s Book Blog shared some book quotes that will make you swoon and I’m obsessed with all of them!
Have you ever seen or picked up a book that you’ve instantly fallen in love with? I know I have! Kathryn @The Artsy Bookworm shared her list of books that were love at first sight.
Margaret @Weird Zeal shared 5 romance book recommendations based on sitcom couples! This was such a creative and fun idea and combined two of my favourite things!
We all have that list of books that got us into reading and without them this wonderful blogging and reading journey wouldn’t have happened. Amber and Samantha @Bibliomavens shared their list of 10 books that made them fall in love with reading and it got me feeling all nostalgic, I loved it!
I love it when book recommendations are organised by their tropes and the wonderful Pilar @The Bookworm Shelf did just that and shared 24 amazing, modern, standalone romance novels recommendations!
Love isn’t always romantic and usually takes the form of friendship. Kat @The Lily Cafe shared her list of books that have fabulous friendships and it’s so refreshing to find book recommendations that celebrates the strong bond friendship, instead of the classic friends-to-lovers trope. Ive yet to read any of the books on Kat’s list but there’s definitely a few new ones on my TBR!
Lots of bloggers also shared their lists of bookish things that every book lover needs. I don’t need anymore books or bookish items but these posts have convinced me that it’s good to treat yourself now and then and to get creative:
Em @EmandHerBooks made a list 10 things every book lover needs, and although I already have a couple of things off this list, I need more! I’ve been looking at getting a nice book sleeve for while and maybe this is a sign to treat myself!
Emma @The Bookworm Girl shared a great list of gifts to buy a book lover and I need them all! I’m a big tea drinker so the bookish mug is right up my street and I’m constantly using old tatty bookmarks so it might be time to invest in a fancy new personalised one!
Georgia @Lost in Neverland has inspired me to make my own book quotes jar and I’m obsessed! This is such a wonderfully creative idea that is perfect for keeping track of some of your favourite quotes and it’s lovely to look back on them when you’re having a bad day!
Kristin @Kristin Kraves Books shared her STUNNING Pride and Prejudice collection and it’s fair to say that I’m jealous! I didn’t think I needed any more copies of Austen’s classic but Kristin has convinced me that I have to have the Penguin Clothbound Edition on my shelf!
As many of you know I’m obsessed with The Storygraph, and I’m always on the lookout for some good bookish apps! Estelle @The Bookish Garden shared some of her favourite apps that every bookworm needs on their phone/tablet and I’ve found some great new apps that I’m looking forward to trying soon!
The blogging community is a great place to find book recommendations and you never know whey you’re going to find your next favourite read:
I don’t know about you but I love reading underrated books on Goodreads, it’s like having your own little secret story that only a couple of other readers have experienced. Ally @Ally Writes Things shared her list of books with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads that you should read, and I couldn’t resist adding a few of these to my TBR!
Alison @Alison in Bookland shared a great list of lesser know series by popular authors you need to read ASAP! I don’t need anymore books on my endless TBR, but I couldn’t help myself! Whoops! Anyway, she includes some great series, so be sure to check it out!
Caro @Book Cheshire Cat shared her list of books she’s put and hold and wants to pick up again soon! We’re all guilty of it and it’s encouraged me to take a look at my own list, and hopefully next month I’ll be able to tick a few off!
February 2021 will forever be know as the month A Court of Silver Flames DESTROYED me! So I had to share some reviews and celebrate this book a little more:
Becca @Toastie Books and Katie @Melting Pages shared their review on A Court of Silver Flames and I agree with everything they said! These are both great reviews and highly recommend you check them out!
I love it when people read ACOTAR and fall in love with it! Chiara @Heavenly Bookish shared her thoughts on A Court of Mist and Fury and even shared a few of her favourite fan-art pieces which I loved!
This month I also read some great discussion posts and features that I just couldn’t help but share:
Another feature I’m really enjoying recently is Riddhi @Whispering Stories blogger interviews, this is such a fun and unique idea and the perfect opportunity to discover more about the blogging community! When I’m reading these interviews I feel like I’m right there with them and a part of the conversation, I love it!
Bertie @Lumionsity Library always writes some of the best discussion posts and their recent post about women who write about gay men is brilliant. If you haven’t read it yet then I highly recommend that you do and also check out the comments for some great recommendations.
As an English Literature graduate classics have played a huge part in my life, and I loved reading about Zoë’s @Reading by the Moonlight developing relationship with them. It’s easy to fall out of love with classics and to be intimidated by them, but once you overcome that hurdle it opens up a world of beautiful and powerful stories!
And finally, lots of bloggers shared some super helpful reading and blogging tips that I had to share:
Shannen @Rekindled Bibliophile started a new series called ‘Breaking into Books’ that focuses on giving tips and advice to new readers or readers that have recently returned to books after a long break. I think this is a great idea and I look forward to following along!
It’s no secret that my TBR is way too long and needs cutting down ASAP. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who has an endless list of unread books! Chana and Malka @Paper Procrastinators shared a brilliant post on how to cut down your TBR that is guaranteed to make you smile and laugh out loud.
As I’ve mentioned earlier that I’m a big fan of classics but they can be intimidating. Shaniah @Books and Baking shared her top 10 tips on reading classics that are super helpful and perfect for anyone looking to dive into the wonderful world that is classic literature!
And finally the wonderful Sofii @ A Book. A Thought shared her tips on how to stay motivated as a reader & book blogger. I loved this post and I related to it massively! It’s only in the past couple of months that I’ve really found my blogging identity and passion and creativity for blogging again! Sometimes you just need to take a step back and focus on what you love and to keep it fun!
This week I’ve been celebrating all things love and have shared a few other posts to help everyone get into the romantic mood and spirit, so I thought I conclude this week with a few romantic recommendations.
I saw this trend over on Bookstagram, and knew I had to do it too! Below is a list of some of the different types of love and some romantic tropes we can’t help but love! I’ve decided to only include books I’ve read on this list, otherwise these recommendations would be as long as my TBR, but feel free to leave any other recommendations in the comments below!
Enemies to Lovers
Everyones favourite romance trope, and the start of some of my favourite fictional couples, including Feyre and Rhys, Anthony and Kate and Bryce and Hunt. What I love the most about these enemies to lovers tropes is the constant bickering and witty remarks that slowly uncover each others hidden feelings for one another and that moment of realisation where they declare their love! I just can’t get enough and I love that we know they’re going to end up together but they just don’t know it yet!
Fake Dating
Again another ‘unexpected love’ trope that pushes two people in intolerable circumstances to form a ‘fake romance’ in order to solve their problem. However, it’s not that simple, and things start to develop romantically!
Friends to Lovers
This ‘will-they-won’t-they’ trope, already has the strong foundations of friendship and sometimes things blossom into something more!
Arranged Romance/Marriage
What’s more romantic than two people being forced to fall in love with each other? This is very similar to our enemies-to-lovers trope but it’s still a classic theme in YA fiction that us readers can’t help but love. One of my favourites in this category is The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh, a beautiful reimagining of The Arabian Nights legend and series I hope to dive back into this year.
Forbidden Romance
Whether it goes against social conduct, family rules or just the universe pushing two people apart, forbidden romances prove that love can conquer anything and to find peace in those ephemeral moments of adoration. But it also teaches us the importance of communication, am I right?
I will never stop going on about how wonderful The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is, and I highly recommend that it’s on next months TBR because it is such a beautifully heartbreaking read.
Heartbreak
These books broke my heart and left me emotionally shattered, so forewarning for anyone who has these books on their TBR to make sure you have your tissues at the ready. As expected not every relationship ends with a ‘happily ever after’ but it does remind us to cherish those fleeting moments of pure happiness and blissful adoration. They remind us to reflect on them, because these are the moments that ultimately aid us in the moulding of ourselves and our future. Heartbreak is something may of us will endure, but it’s what’s waiting for us on the other side that make it all worthwhile.
Slowburn Romance
There’s nothing I hate more than an ‘insta-love’ situation, I’m much more a slow-burn and gradual romantic development kind of person, ever if the anticipation and teasing does kill me at times! With a slow-burn relationship we’re able to truly see our characters grow and develop meaningful feelings for each other resulting in a strong connection and heartwarming romance that just melts my heart. These longer relationships also allow our characters to slow identify and appreciate each others little quirks and create something beautiful.
Loving Yourself
In the wise words of RuPaul, ‘if you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you going to love somebody else?’! These books embrace who we are and celebrate loving ourselves unconditionally as we follow our characters on insightful and beautiful journeys of self-discovery and worth. The reading experiences I had with all these books was unlike any other and I’m grateful to have been apart of them.
Family Love
There’s more to love than just the romantic kind, sometimes love can be found within our family, whether they are blood related or a found family, and is the type of love that has no bounds and will be there unconditionally. These books celebrate and reflect on the importance and fragility of family, so be sure to have your tissues at the ready.
And Finally,
Highlander Romance
I know that this isn’t a type of ‘love’ but it is a love of mine! I’m obsessed with these trashy romance novels and I’m making it my mission to read as many as I can. It all started in a pub in Glasgow, where my best friend and I decided to start a book club with some friends from university, and since then I’ve forced them all to experience the wonderfully cheesy romance that is these highlander adventures. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is the exception on this list, and is anything but a trashy romance, instead it’s the perfect alternative for anyone looking for a Scottish inspired historical romance.
I know this one is late but, last year we were blessed with some really beautiful covers all of which were extremely detailed and colourful! This made it really difficult when I went shopping in Waterstones because I just wanted everything. Both my Amazon wish-list and bookshelves are full of stunning covers so I thought I’d share a few of my favourites.
Again but Better by Christine Riccio – There’s just something lighthearted and lovely about this cover and manages to capture the books theme of change and adventure well. Some contemporary covers can look quite cheesy and girly but this one thankfully doesn’t, instead it’s colour scheme is beautifully lighthearted and its been such a joy watching Christines writing videos and the whole process!
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson – I’m usually a bit hesitant when there’s a character’s profile on the cover but this cover successfully hits the mark. I instantly want to know more about this character because she looks like an epic and powerful heroine that I know I’ll love. This one is definitely on my TBR pile for 2020!
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones – The detail of the skull on this cover is stunning and its giving me some serious Black Sails vibes. I’ve never been a huge horror fan but the premise of this one has me hooked. Seventeen-year-old Ryn only cares about two things: her family, and her family’s graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits.Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meagre existence as gravediggers. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don’t always stay dead.
Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan – This cover is just adorable and never fails to make me smile with its cuteness. It’s fresh, it’s funny and the colour scheme of pink and purple is gorgeous.
Enchantee by Gita Trelease – Doesn’t this cover just ooze magic and eighteenth century royalty? The entire cover is stunning and reminds me of Caraval and The Night Circus, both of which are some of my favourite reads, so I’m very excited to start reading this one.
Circe by Madeline Miller – This cover mirrors the scenes, colours and beauty of a Grecian urn which fits perfectly with books theme of mythology. This is one of my unexpected favourites of the year, I finally gave into the hype surrounding this book and let me say that everything said about this book is true. It is a wonderfully original and captivating read that explores the shadows of villainized women Greek Mythology and one that is also filled with thought-provoking and powerful quotes.
Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff – The UK editions are some of my all time favourite covers, the detail in the silhouette of Mr Kindly includes all the elements of Mia’s journey and manages to capture the books mystery and adventure.
My focus for 2019 was mainly my academic studies, so most of my time this year was spent writing lots of essays such as my dissertation and searching for a graduate scheme/job! This meant that my blogging and reading habits took a back seat because I found it too difficult to juggle everything. This year however I plan to make more time for it, as my schedule at this moment isn’t too chaotic. This year was also the year of endings, some of my favourite TV series and film franchises came to an end as did my university journey as I graduated in November, so lets hope that 2020 is the year of new beginnings! Anyway here’s a list of my favourite books, films and TV shows of 2019.
Books
The Nevernight Trilogy by Jay Kristoff – A mysteriously artful and exhilarating read that refused to be put down and one which has earned a place as one of my favourite reads of 2019. It is clear that the writing style is either a hit or miss with readers, but for me it was a beautifully crafted masterpiece filled with unique and descriptive metaphors that came to life on the page.
Shades of Magic Trilogy by V.E Schwab – The entire series is a wonderfully captivating read that takes place in a unique and complex world crafted with the upmost perfection and thought. There is no limits or bounds to Schwabs imagination as she successfully transports us to a world of chaos and magic. If you haven’t yet picked up this series or Nevernight, then you are seriously missing out.
Circe by Madeline Miler – I finally gave into the hype surrounding this book and let me say that everything said about this book is true, it is a wonderfully original and captivating read that explores the shadows of villainized women Greek Mythology. A beautiful masterpiece filled with thought-provoking and powerful quotes, this book is a must read for all.
Films
Avengers: Endgame – Now this is how you end an epic franchise! The entire movie was incredible, I cried a lot and I swear I spent the entire film with my mouth open in awe! This was the first film that ever gave me a ‘film hangover’, it took me a while to come to terms with the fact that this cinematic journey was over.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – I didn’t love it as much as I wanted too and it don’t get me started on that ending but nevertheless I enjoyed every moment because I love this franchise with all my heart! Poe Dameron please marry me!
Booksmart – This film was just fabulously mad and I loved it. It was the characters in this film that made it for me, and their friendship is one which I can easily relate to.
TV Shows
The Witcher – This fills the void in my life that Game of Thrones left, and I’m living for everything about this series. I hope to start reading the books before the next season comes out because I need more.
Fleabag – I finally jumped on the bandwagon with this series at the beginning of the year and instantly fell in love. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a legend and has created such a unique and wonderful series that needed more seasons!
The Mandalorian – Baby Yoda. That’s all I have to say about this series.
His Dark Materials – A wonderfully magical adaptation of Phillip Pullmans most acclaimed series. This is so much better than the film adaptation and is the perfect fantasy adventure for all ages.
Derry Girls – If you’re looking for a laugh then this series is for you. Filled with endearing characters and cracking moments, this series follows the lives of a group of friends living in Derry, Northern Ireland during the 1990’s as they try to navigate the highs and lows of being a teenager.
Every year I say this, but seriously where has this year gone? I made a promise to myself at the beginning of the year that 2018 was going to be my year and I mistakenly put a lot of pressure and high expectations into that promise. The beginning of the year started off that way, I had managed to secure and complete work experience at Penguin Publishing (belated blog post coming soon!) and I was really happy with my health and fitness! Things really started going downhill in late August when my entire world fell apart after the unexpected death of a family member. I had so much to juggle and I reached the point where I wasn’t catching anything no matter how hard I tried. Now however I’m in a much better place and ready to start the new year with a happy and healthy mindset! Anyway, enough about my personal life lets focus on all the wonderful things that I read/watched this year! As I’ve already mentioned my reading total this year is pathetic but I did watch a lot of films and TV shows instead, so without further ado here are my book, film and TV show favorites of 2018!
Books
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson – Easily my favourite book of the entire year! This book captured and broke my heart with its incredible storyline and bundle of characters, it included everything I wanted for a fantasy novel! I’ll leave my glistening review here!
The Ladies Paradise by Emile Zola – I think this has to be one of my favourite books I’ve read during my entire degree, everything about it was wonderful and they’ve even adapted it into a TV show which is an added bonus! The story itself is set in and around a department store in Paris and follows the journey of Denise who must adapt to the inner workings of such a new and influential model of retail.
Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir – Sabaa Tahir has created a story and characters that will make your heart pound as every page is full of gripping action and intense emotion. The characters are so varied and well developed plus I loved that Laia wasn’t your typical kick-ass heroine but a scared and determined girl who is willing to give everything to save her brother.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – After reading Caraval at the end of last year I was seriously craving some circus magic and this book had been on my TBR for a while! This book has everything you’d want, a whirlwind romance, a beguiling mystery and peculiar characters that drive the story. This truly captivating adventure is proof that magic does exist.
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas – I adore these characters so much and although this was only a novella I loved witnessing all the celebrations of the Winter Solstice. Maas gives us a hint of where this story could be going and even fuels our hopes for possible relationships within the group!
Films
The Greatest Showman – I’m sure I won’t be the only person who has this film on their favourites list as it is just one of those films you can watch over and over again and not get bored of! According to Spotify, the soundtrack was also one of my most played albums of this year because those songs are just so catchy!
Mission Impossible: Fallout – I love all the Mission Impossible’s and this film didn’t disappoint as it pulled out all the stops and took actions films to an entirely new level! All the fight scenes were incredible and I will admit that bathroom scene had me swooning over Henry Cavil!
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before – This is how a book to movie adaptation is done! Thank you, Netflix for caring about this story and bringing these adorable characters to life! I love the fact that the entire world has fallen in love with this story and I am super excited for the sequel which was announced last week!
Avengers: Infinity War – I don’t think anyone was prepared for this film and I’m definitely not ready for Avengers: Endgame…
TV Shows
Big Little Lies – I totally forgot that this show came out this year and has now got me even more excited for season two! If you’re looking for a TV show to binge over the next couple of weeks then pick this one! The show is full of drama, mystery and has a star-studded cast!
Vikings – I’ve only watched the first season (so no spoilers please) but I’m already fully invested in these characters. I’m guessing however that it’s going to be like Game of Thrones where no one is safe and that my favourite characters will be the next ones to die!
The Bold Type – A friend at University recommended this show to me and I am now in love! The Bold Type is easily one of my all-time favourite TV shows because its everything that I aspire to be and I’d give my left arm to be one of these characters! The show provides us with a glimpse into the outrageous lives and loves of those responsible for a global women’s magazine and their struggles are about finding your identity, managing friendships and getting your heart broken, all while wearing the perfect jeans to flatter any body type.
I can’t remember much from this year but what I can remember are the books, films and TV shows that I’ve really enjoyed and that have stuck with me throughout the year! I haven’t read many books this year which did help when it came to selecting my favorites however next year one of my resolutions is too complete the 50 book challenge. I’ve already started making a list of books that I want to read so if you’ve got any recommendation then I’d love to hear them!
This is the point now where I reflect on my year as a whole and in all honesty, my year hasn’t been anything special. I did just finish my first year of university and my second year is going really well as I’m loving my course, my friends and most importantly all the books that I’ve been set to read! I was only speaking to Eleanor about this yesterday but I feel like a completely different person that when I started the year, but in a good way. I feel a lot happier about the future and a lot more confident about it too, so much so that I’ve already declared 2018 as my year to do everything that I’ve always thought of doing.
From the books, films and TV show that I’ve managed to read and watch this year, there were some clear favorites, some of which I’m sure some of you won’t be surprised to see on my list as I couldn’t stop raving about them throughout Blogmas!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi – I was like a child at Christmas watching this film, throughout the entire film there was a smile on my face and I relished every detail and second; it was beautiful! I thought the storyline was carefully structured and it was clear that there were so much love and passion that went into creating these films.
A Court of Mist and Fury/A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas – I don’t know why it took me until this summer to finally catch with this series but I am in love with everything to do with them! The storyline is stunning and the characters I just wish were real because they are incredible! I keep seeing all the different fan art on my Pinterest page which just reminds me how much I love this series!
Caraval by Stephanie Garber – The magic, adventure, and mystery are what makes this story difficult to put down, and just like the Caraval, it sucks you in and invites you to lose yourself in its wonderful world. Garber makes it easy to fall in love with her characters and I can guarantee that it will have you on the edge of your seat through the entire story.
This Is Us (NBC) – I discovered this show in September and still haven’t caught up with all the episodes yet because every single episode just makes me so emotional and I have to have a box of tissues with me otherwise it gets very messy! All the different storylines are so cleverly intertwined and I love the different yet relatable array of characters if you haven’t yet started this show then check out the first episode and I can guarantee you’ll be hooked like I was.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo – Again it took me far too long to pick up this book, but when I finally got round to reading it I wasn’t disappointed! I still prefer the first book but that doesn’t mean that this book didn’t lack action as it was a heck of a journey and adventure that saw the highs and lows of emotions, wit, and humor between characters and of course the usual swindling and planning which was cleverly revealed and pieced together at the end.
Always and Forever Lara Jean by Jenny Han – Lara Jean is one of my favorite contemporary characters and we’ve been on such a beautiful and emotional journey with her throughout the series but I agree with Jenny Han it’s time her story ended. The ending was simply beautiful and just had me in streams of tears, a wonderful conclusion to an equally wonderful series. I’m going to miss all the characters and if you haven’t started this trilogy, I highly recommend it.
Atonement by Ian McEwan – Since studying Ian McEwan at University he has quickly become one of my favorite authors of all time and reading this book has made me love him even more. This story is heartbreaking, and I truly mean heartbreaking as it had me experience different emotions from joy to sadness and frustration. Once again, McEwan has created a beautiful novel that explores the themes of love, war, guilt, and forgiveness through its brilliant narrative and prose.
Thor: Ragnarok – This is one of my favorite superhero films because it was just so much fun to watch, everything about it from the characters to the film score was so different from the two previous films and worked perfectly together.
Outlander: Season 3 (Starz) – Season 3 of Outlander really stepped up the game and I loved the reunion between Claire and Jamie and the fact that we got to travel to different places!
Turtles All The Way Down by John Green – I fell absolutely in love with this book as everything about it was perfect, the storyline, the characters and the way it made me feel when I finished it. If there was an option on Goodreads to give it 10 stars then I would!
Unexpected. If I had to describe my year in one word it would be that because a lot of things happened (some for the better) that I didn’t expect. I think some of the biggest shocks have happened in politics with the UK deciding to leave the EU and Trump winning the presidential election in the US, yet we’ve also had some serious shocks with celebrity deaths (some of which I’m still not over), RIP Carrie Fisher, Alan Rickman and others. But enough with politics and negativity as 2016 hasn’t been all that bad as we saw the world unite in the Olympic Games in Rio this summer and over Pokemon Go. In terms of the environment endangered animal numbers (for example tigers and pandas) are increasing and climate change is beginning to be taken seriously and in science, there have been some life-changing medical breakthroughs. For us book bloggers we’ve been given some epic releases and reads this year so we thought we’d share some of our favourites and feel free to link your favourites posts in the comments below and we’ll link our reviews as well so check them out! Also feel free to check out my Goodreads page which has a full list of all the books I’ve read this year and I was also able to complete my goal of reading 40 books this year!
Amy
The Vampire Diaries – I can’t believe I haven’t watched this sooner and it is definitely one of my top 5 favourite TV shows of all time! I have a secret love for vampires and after Twilight, I didn’t know what else I could watch/read.
Leigh Bardugo – Mainly her a Six of Crows series because that is just amazing and I highly recommend you pick up this series right now or even start on her Grisha Trilogy which is equally as fantastic! She gets you so involved in her character’s storylines and I don’t think I can find a fault in either of them!
Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them – I have no words, it was just magical.
Nicola Yoon – One of my new favourite authors and someone I only discovered this year through her debut novel ‘Everything Everything’ which was just so cute yet heartbreaking. And if you’ve been reading our blog recently then you all know about my love for her new book ‘The Sun Is Also A Star’ and those who haven’t, I’ll spare you from my endless praise!
Lady Midnight – This year I was able to not only read this book which is set in one of my favourite universes but meet Cassandra Clare herself and meet some amazing people in the queue! I was able to get my book signed and get some embarrassing photos of me meeting her too!
Morgan Matson – Another one of my favourite contemporary authors, and this summer I read a few more of her books including ‘The Unexpected Everything’ and ‘Amy and Rodgers Epic Detour’ both of which were super cute and I will leave a link to their reviews.
Stranger Things – This show was honestly incredible as not only was its characters loveable and badass but its storyline was super gripping so much so that I binged watched the show in a day.
Wolf By Wolf Series – This series had such an interesting concept and characters as well as being heartbreaking and powerful. I highly recommend you pick this up if you’re looking for an action packed war-themed read.
Outlander – Our new obsession and I literally can’t wait for the next season! Fingers crossed next year we will be able to visit some of the iconic landmarks and sets of the show!
Star Wars: Rogue One – I went and saw this a couple of days ago and I was completely blown away, it was just incredible. I don’t think they could make a bad Star Wars film.
Eleanor:
Outlander – I became literally obsessed with this series this year, I cannot wait for season 3!
Reign – I have only just watched this and I feel bad for not watching it sooner, especially as Amy was always telling me to watch it! But Amy was right, it is really good!
A Court of Mist and Fury – The sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses, I thought it was better than the first which is uncommon for a series but I suppose it is Sarah J Maas so I shouldn’t be too surprised.
All The Bright Places – I read this book on holiday this year and it is honestly one of the best books I have ever read, there was a lot of hype around it but in my opinion it deserved it.
The Originals – I love this show so much, I’m hoping Amy will start watching it soon now that she’s started to watch The Vampire Diaries!
The Missing – This was an incredible series on BBC1 that literally had everyone clueless until the last episode where everything clicked, absolutely fabulous!
The Night Manager – Another fabulous BBC drama, this show ensured to me that Tom Hiddleston should be James Bond.
Call the Midwife – Again a BBC drama about midwives in 1960’s London, its real and probably the most realistic show that involves midwifery.
War and Peace – This was a TV show adapted from the very big book, it was aired on BBC1 and had some very famous people in the cast, a great period drama!
Lady Midnight – This was a much anticipated book and it did not disappoint! I love and relish the opportunity to return to one of my favourite worlds!
I thought I’d do something different from our usual book reviews and share with our follows my favourite authors and hopefully encourage some of you to pick up some of their books! Please feel free to share your favourite authors in the comments as we are always on the hunt for new authors and books!
Sarah J Maas – The Queen of fantasy and the author of my favourite fantasy series ‘Throne of Glass’. All her books are action packed and will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole novel. Not forgetting her incredible and badass characters who I look forward to reading more about in ‘Empire of Storms’. I have also been lucky enough to meet her and she is one of the loveliest people ever!
Leigh Bardugo – She was one of my favourites when I read the ‘Shadow and Bone’ series but after reading ‘Six of Crows’ she is now one of my all time favourites who I adore! Again her world building and characters are so unique and loveable and I am counting down the days until ‘Crooked Kingdom’ is released.
Wilbur Smith – He’s probably an author that many of you havent heard of, nevertheless I think he is one of the greatest authors as his writing is so captivating and beautiful that it is hard to put one of his books down. He also wrote my all time favourite books ‘Eagle in the Sky’ and I can’t stress enough that everyone needs to read this book as not only is it incredible but truly heartbreaking.
J.K.Rowling – Of course J.K.Rowling had to make an appearance on my list of favourite authors because her writing and storytelling is just so magical and without her we wouldn’t have such a brilliant and iconic book and movie series!
Morgan Matson – She is one of my all time favourite contemporary authors as her books and characters are always so cute and are hard not to love. I recently read ‘The Unexpected Everything’ and I have to admit that it is one of my favourite books of this year and it certainly in my top 5 all time favourite contemporary novels. If you’re looking for a really lovely contemporary that will just warm your heart and make you feel all the feels and emotions then definitely pick up one of her novels!
A Fangirl's Opinion 